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A senior Wrexham councillor is issuing a strong warning to those looking to rent property that there are scammers targeting potential tenants.

In this scam, a criminal generally poses as a landlord or property manager in order to get potential tenants to pay for a property that is unavailable, does not exist, or is not available to them for rent.

These scams can happen in a variety of ways, but three are more common than others:

• Phantom Rental: Offers for properties that do not exist or are not available for rent. Criminals lure you with attractive photos and great offers.
• Hijacked ads: Criminals copy legitimate rental advertisements and change the contact information so that inquiries are directed to themselves instead of the rightful owner.
• Decoy tactics: The advertised property is not available, but the perpetrator is offering another, often inferior, property.

According to Action Fraud, one victim lost £1,400 after falling victim to rental fraud.

Councillor Hugh Jones, Lead Member for Planning and Public Protection, said: “The rental market is particularly active at the moment with many potential tenants interested in the same property.

“This could mean that there is a greater chance for scammers to defraud someone of their hard-earned money. Therefore, it is important to pay attention to the warning signs above to avoid falling victim to this type of scam.

“Remember to stay smart and rent safely!”

To avoid rental fraud, look for the following warning signs:

• Low rent: If the rent is significantly lower than other properties in the area, be cautious.
• Advance payments: Be wary of landlords who ask for money up front before viewing the property, especially if they require payment via bank transfer, cryptocurrency, or gift card.
• No personal meetings: Criminals often avoid face-to-face meetings. If the “landlord” is unable or unwilling to meet you in person or show you the property, this is a red flag.
• High pressure tactics: Criminals can pressure you to act quickly by claiming that there are other interested parties or that the offer is only available for a limited time.
• Incomplete or vague information: Reputable listings provide detailed information. Be suspicious of listings with few photos, vague descriptions, or typos and errors. If it is a real estate agent, they must be part of a compensation program.

To be on the safe side, only use reputable rental platforms. Check the landlord and verify that he is the owner of the property. Do not pay anything before you have viewed the property and when you do, pay the rent securely

If you discover that a property advertised for rent does not exist, please report this to the Citizens Advice Bureau or Trading Standards Authority.

If you see a property you are interested in, you can check the landlord on Rent Smart Wales before transferring any money or signing any contracts.

Prospective buyers should always check the legitimacy of properties and landlords on the Rent Smart Wales website before transferring funds or signing contracts.

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